Jen Paelmo

Well, it wasn’t easy surviving my 13th fashion week, and by now, I know who to rely on, when I need a little reprieve, and what is considered a ‘normal’ food and caffeine intake during fashion week! For starters, my trusty notebook this time around was actually my Ports 1961 show invite — what a great idea! By the week’s end, it was definitely looking as worn and ragged as I felt, but it definitely got the job done! (see below).

My trusty Ports 1961 show invite/notebook

The importance of caffeine and protein bars: I had stocked up on a slew of Luna bars to keep in my bag, but there were a lot of Zone Perfect bars being given out, which led to further emergency sustenance. As seen above, I love the WWD‘s and The Daily handed out at the tents, and definitely was thrilled that Starbucks was the coffee sponsor this year. I chugged many a Columbia and Italian Roast Ready Brew VIA, as well as the new Light Frappuccino in Vanilla, which tasted exactly like the full-calorie version (yippee for me, since I skipped the gym all week, my other ‘healthy’ fashion week ritaul!’). Somewhat satiated and caffeinated, I was fueled enough to get through the grueling schedule of back to back shows, interviews, running all over the place, writing and tweeting like crazy, and trying to look as fabulous as humanly possible.

Maisie & I at the IFB Conference (and Minx nails!)

John from Phyto & I at the Robert Verdi Lounge

Speaking of looking great, my buddy, Jen Paelmo, makeup artist extraordinaire was kind enough to do my hair and makeup for the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference, while Maisie Dunbar of Spa Lounge in Maryland and the fab BluffaJo Cosmetics (pictured, left) gave me a fabulous manicure with a pink leopard print Minx nail! Rebecca Taylor lent me a few looks for the week, which I was thrilled to wear at the Social Media Awards as well as to the show and my interview with Rebecca. Luckily, I was also able to spend some time at the Robert Verdi Future of Fashion lounge, which was one of the most relaxing things I did all week!

John Gerard Griffith from Phyto (and Loft 26) gave me an amazing blow out and I also tested out some of the brand’s products, Ginger + Liz supplied me with their new nail lacquer collection’s mint ‘Boy Toy’ polish, Maidenform hooked up my decolletage with a new bra, and Rock & Republic adorned my bottom half with a new pair of tres chic studded jeans! Speaking of tres — Tresemme came out with a dry shampoo and were giving away both purse-sized and full-sized bottles – when I didn’t have time to shampoo (and you really shouldn’t everyday anyways) Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo seriously saved me (and you can get it for $4.29!).

Also on the ‘seriously it saved me’ list includes the Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes for quick and easy makeup removal, my Sorel Hoonah Boots for when the weather was just downright nasty (aka half of fall/winter 2010 fashion week) and the HauteLook lounge at the Bryant Park Hotel, a quite getaway with healthy snacks and laptops to use! Fashion week gets a bit crazy, but I am so glad to have met so many wonderful people and experienced great products that kept me afloat this season!